Sales of traditional computers have plummeted again this year as more
consumers choose to replace their desktop PCs with a smartphone or tablet.

Sales across Western Europe fell by more than a fifth in the first quarter,
according to the research company Gartner, which said that the computer
industry’s performance was the worst on record. Computer sales in Britain
fell by 16 per cent to 2.5 million.

“Many consumers no longer require a PC as usage of smartphones and tablets
takes over,” Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner, said.